Portfolio Gallery

Portfolio Gallery

Out of the Storm

Oil on Canvas18×242019

Day Break

Oil on Canvas12×362019

Expectations

Oil on Canvas8×102019

Salt and Light

Oil on Canvas20×242019

A reminder to add value to those around you. To be salt and light in a world that desperately needs hope. Without salt or light, life would be bland and dark. Let’s be a generation that gives and loves and leaves each space, each life, better than we first found it.

Beyond

Oil on Canvas20×242019

Beyond every trial, hardship, and unexpected twist lies something new and fresh. Always unseen. Do you ever wish you had the privilege of knowing what is to come? That everything happening right now will actually be worth it in the end? I do. And yet, even in the mess, that ray of sunshine just breaking through the storm quietly whispers, “Courage”. Courage to act even in the face of fear. Keep moving forward. That the place beyond this moment is worth it.

Storm Collection 1

Oil on Canvas8×8

Storm Collection 2

Oil on Canvas8×8

Storm Collection 3

Oil on Canvas8×8

Storm Collection 4

Oil on Canvas8×10

Storm Collection 5

Oil on Canvas9×12

Storm Collection 6

Oil on Canvas11×14

Storm Collection 7

Oil on Canvas11×14

Storm Collection 8

Oil on Canvas4×12

Storm Collection 9

Oil on Canvas8×16

Storm Collection 10

Oil on Canvas9×12

Storm Collection 11

Oil on Canvas9×12

Storm Collection 12

Oil on Canvas10×10

Heartland 1

Oil on Canvas20×24

Community. There are so many different types of community. Some you are born into and others you choose. Community looks like friends who become family. Who makes sure you are loved and cared for. Who raise your children like their own. Who plant their roots next to yours and it becomes one beautiful conglomeration of all of these various units. Community is knowing that you belong. How much we ALL want to belong. Isn’t that the goal of the human race? To belong; to be known; to know. Whether we realize it on the surface level or subconsciously, it’s there. We crave family and friends and being KNOWN. Community can hurt. It can rub up against thoughts and beliefs. It challenges the status quo. But what if we are willing to dig deep? Form community with all peoples. Understanding that we might not understand. But always be willing to listen. Gather around the table. Share a meal. Something beautiful happens when food is involved. A commonality that reaches past race, gender, and religion. Take a simple meal and make it a feast. Because of those you share it with. Be willing to change, grow, and plant roots. Work together for one beautiful cause. Because we NEED each other.

Heartland 2

Oil on Canvas24×30

To be American. Never has there been a time in our country’s history that this term has been defined in so many ways. It doesn't mean one type of person, faith or race. And, we seem to forget, it NEVER has. That’s what makes us all beautiful individually. And beautiful together. The past few years have been interesting, to say the least. We have had highs and lows. We have struggled and fought and fallen apart and come back together. In the end, I believe we will be one united front again. Why? Because we are Americans. We have learned to fight for what we believe. We have learned that our differences make us whole. But it all starts with you. The Conversation. The bridge building. We are still learning grace and mercy; forgiveness and second chances. The same people that so passionately stand together can be the ones that passionately tear apart. It’s time to stop waiting for this person or that person, this side or the other, to be the first to step up to the plate. Let’s let the healing begin. Like those mountains that were traversed so many years ago to build a land, a country, and freedom. They still stand. In all their splendor. And so will we. Rise up, America. Be that mountain that doesn’t move. Together.

Heartland 3

Oil on Canvas24×30

Simplicity. Peace. Calm. Rest. The gentle sway of the grain. The dynamic movement of windy clouds. The contrast of blue and yellow in such a vivid array that your eyes can’t quite take it all in. We have gotten away from the heart of many of these feelings. These emotions. We have let the hustle of life step in and render us useless but, oh, so busy. Where does that busy take us? Do you really get that moment to gaze across your field, whatever that may look like to you, and just breathe deep? You owe it to your friends, your family, your life to take it all back. To simplicity. Put that phone down. Close the computer. Be present. It’s interesting how it takes time to plow and plant and harvest. To reap the benefits of the season of hard back-breaking work and toil. I have a feeling that’s what simplicity will look like for many of us. Slowly begin to plow the soil. Fresh ground. It won’t be easy. Just showing up every day. Watering. Weeding. Actively making the choice of time and resources. And watching that field grow.

Heartland 4

Oil on Canvas24×30

Perspective. This piece is probably more about me and my introspection of this year so far. The things I have been learning, studying and gathering. The constant looking up. This may not be the way you would think one would capture this subject matter. With the home and barns slightly cut off and tucked behind. The stormy gray sky. But it's all about perspective. There is still beauty to be found. Are you willing to look for it? Now? In this moment? Not in the one after this, when all is good again and you can look back and say “yea I think I see it”. But NOW. Where does your perspective rest? In your success? In your family? Career? Degrees? All of these things are variables. They move and change. Rest your perspective in something that doesn’t change. That won’t be swayed by life itself. I just love cloudy skies. Even in the potential “gloom” of them, the intricacy and dynamic movement of the clouds stirs something deep and reflective. I think they are harder to find beauty in, too. You can easily see the glory in a sunset or sunrise. But have you stopped to gaze upon a cloudy day? To REALLY look? Where does your perspective rest?

Heartland 5

Oil on Canvas20×24

Legacy. The capstone to everything we do on this earth. Life is fleeting, like the mist on the mountains. And yet the mountains never change or move. They just remain. This is legacy. It remains much longer than life itself. What you do now will last generation to generation. Most people think you have to be famous or important to leave a legacy. I disagree. It is those that live simply, humbly and genuinely that leave the biggest impact on the world. I am not talking about financial or property or belongings. I am talking about YOU. What can you do that NO ONE else can? What can you share, your unique perspective, that only you have the ability to share? With all your passion and love and hope behind it. I know there is someone waiting to hear. Maybe it's just a stranger that you will never see again. But that stranger, that ripple, will walk forward, impacted. And then who will they touch because you touched them? Legacy, my friend, is everything.

Journey 1

Oil on Canvas20×24

There it is… a new horizon. Fresh, certain, full of hope.Can you feel it?The sun is bright in your eyes. Maybe you can’t see that next step, but you know its going to be good. You are about to make the most of this opportunity.The road is barely visible through the rays. That’s ok. Just keep walking. Sometimes that path isn’t the visible one…the “every detail laid out” one. It requires a lot of faith. One foot in front of the other. Trust in the things unknown.The sky seems to speak of things yet to come. All you can do is look up. Everything else is in shadow.Just keep looking up.

Journey 2

Oil on Canvas24×30

You see it coming. Just beyond the horizon. It’s moving fast and sure.Another storm.Some you watch build; some take you by surprise. You can’t outrun them…its part of life. No matter how they hit, the devastation will be the same. The disappointment of lost dreams, years of work, a relationship.These storms are all about how you weather them. EVERYONE is either coming out of, going into, or just on the brink of a storm.What do you do when they hit? Will it affect life as you know it? Certainly.No matter the storm, there is always hope on the other side. You can see the brightness. If you can just hold on a little longer, friend, I promise you will see it.Sometimes cleaning up the aftermath is all you can focus on…keep going. The sunshine will break again.

Journey 3

Oil on Canvas20×24

Before you can move on from that storm, there seems to be a melancholy that settles over you.That path is soggy and bleak.This can be the hardest part. The one where everything seems hopeless. Gray. Lonely. Oh the loneliness…it can be suffocating at times. No one could possibly understand.But what if.What if, in this season, this grayness, that we allowed someone in. Or spoke out. What if it isn't about us. What if it touches just one person. Or we allow just one person to touch us.Could this change the course and the outcome?

Journey 4

Oil on Canvas24×30

There it is. Just shining down. Stand and bask in it. In those glorious rays. Gaze into the beauty. The sun breaks and is parting the clouds. Breathe in the fresh air…the one right after the rain; the storm. Can you feel it? Smell it?A land made new.Maybe you feel a sense of sadness…like mourning. Even in the midst of the beauty. There is the loss of something. Of certainty. You knew how to walk in the valley you just came out of…in fact, you became quite good at it. Now nothing is certain.Stand like a child on the top of that first crest. Look at the sky. What do you see? Do you see those clouds taking shape? Begin again like a child…full of awe and wonder.Small steps.This road is hopefully a long, beautiful walk through a land of renewal and strength. Each step gets a little more sure. Maybe there are still details to be worked out in you.That’s ok. Let them be worked out.

Journey 5

Oil on Canvas24×30

The sun is setting and the clouds are but the Master’s touch in the glorious sky.That sun, which once shone so bright, has picked up its full glory again. It illuminates all. You are coming out of the forrest. Peace is abiding.Take these last few steps slowly; or run the last leg if you like. It matters not. We all respond how our hearts lead. Some stand on the edge and and breathe deep. Thankful for the end, as well as the beginning. Some run into the sunset…chasing its glory and beauty. Run on, friend. Don't stop.All the things you have learned through this journey. All the moments. All the pain and suffering. There is beauty in strife and struggle. The lesson of perseverance. Refinement of character. It was doing a good work in you…did you feel it?You have reached the end. I hope you have enjoyed this journey with me. Maybe it has been hard. Maybe refreshing. Maybe it is preparation for something on the horizon.Whatever it has spoken to your heart, know that you aren't in this thing called life alone. There are those waiting to walk alongside if you only invite them.I invite you into my journey, and I truly hope you will invite me into yours.

Another year and another series (or two). I am so humbled and honored to begin to share these two series with you. One will be called “Heartland” and the other “Sky and Water”. Both are near and dear to my heart but for very different reasons.

At the end of September, I will be releasing the newest of 5 paintings from my studio aptly named the Journey Series. They don’t directly tell life events over these past years, but as a birds eye view. The excitements, the struggles, the disappointment, the darkest of days and the light. Each painting has a reflection or story of its own journey to accompany it.

So it's about to be another year. Another birthday. Another celebration. Because EVERY birthday should be a celebration no matter the number. "Why?" you may ask...well, because there is always something to be learned, something to give thanks for, and the understanding that there is something more that Our Father has left for us to do.

Goodmorning on this very uneventful day in February! It doesn't get much notice except for the last minute Valentine's shopping! I would bet it is the highest day for card sales...which next year I plan to have a line ready.

The most often asked question I get is "Where is this?" Well let me answer it for you! I get my inspiration for my paintings from places I have either lived or traveled, but I am constantly looking for somewhere "new" to paint. I love the hidden treasures that surprise you in their beauty. All of my paintings (aside from commissioned work) come from photographs I have taken. You see, I am not a plein air painter....I work in a studio from an image I previously captured.

I am hoping to spend a little more time on the small details here. To share a bit more about myself and my work. I can't wait to show you all. I even have a new series coming out soon that I am dying to talk about! But all that later.